Kitsune no Tsuki – Arc 1: Ch 04-06

The jounin in charge of the second portion of the chuunin selection exam turned to meet the approaching medic squad with a nod of satisfaction. “Good you’re the last team to arrive and there is just enough time for you to get underway before the contestants being to arrive.” He greeted before turning his gaze specifically on the two genin with the squad. “These are the two med-genin under evaluation?” He asked then as the group stopped before them.

The leader of the med squad nodded. “They are sir. This is med-genin Uzumaki Usagi and med-genin Mizuno Ami. They have successfully completed their medical evaluation from earlier today and have been cleared for the practical evaluation during the second exam.”

“Well done—” he began before being interrupted by a fit of coughing.

Usagi stepped forward concern evident on her face, “Sir, are you all, right?”

The man smiled behind the first covering his mouth and nodded. “I am fine Uzumaki-san. You better get underway with your squad the safe route will have to be sealed shortly. I’ll see you both at the tower.” With that the man vanished in a small flurry of leaves giving Usagi no more chance to question him. Their squad leader quickly gave orders to move out as they were then guided into a tunnel entrance on the exterior of the fence that surrounded the training area known as ‘The Forest of Death’ and site of the second examination.

.:o:.

Usagi moved quickly through the halls of the tower as she continued on her task to ensure all the medical stations were well stocked in basic supplies. They had arrived at the tower in good time the day before and it had only been hours afterwards that she has heard that the first of the teams from the exam had arrived as well. From what she had heard this was unusual, but unless one of the team members needed medical aide she wasn’t likely to run into them. For now, she just had to focus on the tasks given to her and try to not worry about her brother and friends who were also participating in that same exam. She was only a little more concerned for the girls, knowing that when it came to business, they would get the job done even if they tended to get into just as much mischief as she did off the job. Her brother she was a little more concerned for as she was well aware that he was just as likely to find trouble as it was to find him.

“Uzumaki—” a monotone voice spoke from behind her making her startle and drop the packets of bandages in her arms.

“Oh, you startled me!” She exclaimed as she bent to pick up the packages she had dropped only to be stopped as sand swirled around them and lifted them to her. She slowly raised her gaze to meet the intense blue-green stare of the red headed boy she had run into with Naruto only a few days before. “Sabaku no Gaara—”

“Why are you here when you were not on a team in this exam?” The boy asked his voice unchanging.

“I—I’m part of the medical staff on duty here within the tower.” She answered slowly accepting the packages from him but remaining still otherwise. Something about the boy was warning her to not make any surprising movements and let him direct the conversation… and yet unlike their first meeting much of the initial hostility that she had sensed was gone. Fidgeting slightly under his gaze she wondered what he was thinking and decided to see if she could find out what it was that was on his mind. “Is there something you need Gaara-san?”

The boy’s eye’s narrowed and then he closed them and seemed to be lost in thought a moment. “I would like to speak to you—privately.”

Usagi blinked in surprise and considered it, knowing that Rei would likely chew her head off for it later; however, something about this seemed very important. “Follow me.” She finally answered and then led him down the hall a bit further to a small meeting room used by medical staff.

Once he had entered the room she closed and locked the door behind him and turned to face him. “What is it you needed to speak with me about Gaara-san?” She then asked.

The boy remained silent for a few moments though his focus seemed to be turned more inward then on her. It wasn’t until his gaze was focused on her fully once more that he spoke. “I wish to know why It does not call for your blood like It does nearly everyone else. What about you makes It silent and no longer clawing at my thoughts?”

Usagi stared at him in confusion and then a spark of idea flitted through her mind as to just what he could be talking about. She nibbled on her lower lip as she considered the possibility and what it meant if it were true. Meeting his gaze once more she decided to ask and find out if her suspicions were correct. “Gaara-san… do you carry one of the bijuu?”

The red headed boy remained silent but gave her a small nod in affirmative.

Usagi let out a sigh and considered her options before speaking. “… Your bijuu recognized my blood. Centuries ago, all of its kind once answered to my family line, back then the bijuu were guardians placed to protect this world, but something went wrong and contact with all the bijuu was lost. Only recently has the fact that something corrupted them—driving them into the beasts and monsters they are of legend today. I seem to have a strong bond with them though—”

She was interrupted as the boy gasped and raised a hand to his head his eyes widening and pupil’s dilating. “Gaara-san!? Are you alright? Gaara-san?” She asked rushing to his side and raising a hand to rest over his own. A spark of feeling and energy passed through them and Gaara’s breathing slowed once more. Sand flowed around them in the room, moving smoothly through air and along the floor and walls. It was then Usagi felt it herself, the energy of the bijuu calling to her and the darkness tainting it.

“Help—this voice… It’s asking for help.” Gaara whispered seemingly stunned by the revelation as they stood there staring at each other. Usagi nodded slowly.

“I understand… and I think I can help, but it will have to be after this exam, and I will have to get others to assist. Can you wait that long?” She asked quietly beginning to have an understanding as to just what the boy was dealing with.

Gaara closed his eyes in concentration and pulled her hand away from his own before taking a step back. When he opened his eyes once more the cold and emotionless stare had returned. “I will wait.” With that statement he left the room leaving the blonde-haired girl to stare after him.

She took a deep breath and sighed as the events of the recent meeting replayed through her mind. One thing was for sure, Luna and the others would be pissed she had met him alone and agreed to help without talking to them first. However, she knew, right down to her very core, that just as helping the Kyuubi begin to heal within Naruto was something she had had to do, so was this.

She exited the room as she continued to dwell on the facts she knew and idly began to wonder specifically which bijuu it was that the boy from Sand carried.

.:o:.

A deep sigh breathed through the air; the only sound that passed through the very heavy atmosphere that filled the room the third Hokage of Konohagakure occupied currently. The past few days had gone from the pleasant general stress that went with the workload of being the host village for the chuunin selection exam to a tense nearly pin drop anticipation. The single series of events that had triggered this atmosphere change had also added a very heavy ache and pull on his heart, for it was his one greatest disappointment and failure that had caused it. Orochimaru… as a boy he had been his favorite and star pupil, and he had cared for him deeply. Unfortunately, that favor had put a glamour on the boy in his eyes and had allowed him to become the dark and twisted man that had later betrayed and abandoned his village, a man that had made his presence known in the forest where the second exam was being held. What the man’s motives for this unexpected appearance were unknown, though he had a sinking suspicion about it just the same.

It was only hours until the exam would come to an end, and it was unlikely that many more teams, if any, would stagger in this close to the end. This particular exam seemed to have been one of the more brutal of those that took place in Konoha, at least in terms of casualties and injuries. Those brought into the medic teams both at the tower and at the regular village hospital were almost reminiscent of war time injuries and he only hoped that those who were participating understood that. Already the medic staff was being run a bit ragged, though he had received initial reports that the two med-genin were performing admirably. He only hoped that the teams that the girl’s friends were on weren’t also those that showed up on their medic tables, such trauma could potentially scar them at this point in their careers, though he felt they would also rise above it.

Most of all, he feared what the reappearance of his old student would mean for the village and all those within it. For if there was one thing certain—Orochimaru would not be here to simply give a pleasant hello. No, whatever his former student had in mind it would likely be felt to the village’s core if they could not uncover it beforehand. And yet… Konoha had a strong will of fire running through her, and it was that will that Orochimaru would likely overlook the most.

.:o:.

For the first few days of the second exam, being on the duty medical squad was pretty much boring. Then day three hit and casualties started to be brought in. Most of those delivered into the hands of the medic squad had not passed the exam. Rather, they were the ones who were too injured to continue. The reality of the injuries that both Usagi and Ami were now asked to deal with could very well have been traumatic enough to scare them off medical duties. However, both of them quickly set the shock aside and focused on the task at hand—the healing and treatment required to save ninja careers and even lives. At that point time began to pass quickly.

Usagi had sensed when team Anko arrived and had offered a silent thanks when they did not appear or move toward the medical wing. She hadn’t really doubted that the girls would be able to complete the exam, however some of the things she had seen in the medic wing had made her worry about them regardless. For it was surprisingly easy to tell when injuries had been given with only intent to disable and not cause permanent or fatal harm. It was also easy to tell when the injuries had been delivered with extreme malice and viciousness and it struck something deep within her to see how many of those passing through the medic area would likely have to end their ninja career. She had not wanted to see her friends and guardians in need of medical care for while she knew their natural healing abilities were higher than that of most others, they did not have their senshi abilities available which was also a key factor.

With a final tuck of gauze and a securing fold she smiled at the genin she had just finished with and turned to find the waiting bench empty for the first time since she had started this shift. Just as she was about to seek out one of the head medics nin Ami appeared from around a corner and caught her attention.

“Usagi-chan, we’re to take a brief break, wash up and then report to the stand-by room outside the arena room. They will be doing preliminary matches because the number who passed this exam is too high.” The blue-haired girl announced while at the same time picking up a stack of medical files from a nearby shelf that needed to be filed.

“Understood, I’ll meet you up there in a bit then. Have you heard if Naruto’s team passed?” Usagi asked as she grabbed her kit from the shelf it had been resting on.

“They came in just an hour ago with no serious injuries since they did not seek medic assistance. Beyond that I don’t know. I’m sure we will find out more while on stand-by.”

“Thanks!” Usagi answered and then made her way to the showers that had been given over to medical staff use.

.:o:.

Team Anko had passed the second exam with minimal difficulty and overall, they were both glad and annoyed that they had not run into Team Kakashi while in the forest but were relieved to see that the other rookie teams had all passed as well. There had been no time to talk yet with the others as they had immediately gone to rest when shown to rooms after arriving the day before and had then been summoned to the arena room, they were all lined up in shortly after waking.

Rei was uneasy as she listened to the Hokage and the exam proctors congratulate all those that had passed, and then announced that there would be immediate preliminary matches in order to thin numbers further. It wasn’t the news of the matches that had her uneasy, no this was something more subtle a foreign presence in a more familiar aura. Unfortunately, she was unable to determine from exactly where the feeling was coming from. None the less though, it gave her a sinking suspicion that something had gone very wrong during this exam and as of yet, it was being kept very quiet.

She made no complaint or comment as they were directed to file up onto the waiting platforms that flanked the arena floor after the first two names appeared on the screen that would determine the match ups. She considered making a comment to Sasuke as she passed, but something in his expression gave her pause and she narrowed her eyes in thought as she reached out with her senses. Her attempts at scanning his aura were unsuccessful though as Kakashi appeared between them apparently with a few words of advice for his student. She would just have to pay careful attention to the match and see if anything was revealed during it.

“Something eating you Red?” Anko asked as she came to stand by her sensei and Minako. Rei shook her head in response though her gaze remained focused on the raven-haired boy in the arena below.

Anko seemed to keep her gaze on her a few moments before she too turned her attention to the arena as the match began.

At first nothing seemed wrong, though Rei did note the near total absence of chakra use on Sasuke’s part and she wondered at it as from what she could tell he was nowhere near being run dry. Then it happened there was a flare in his aura and chakra as he seemed to grab a spot on his neck that was pulsating in his aura. Rei’s eyes snapped open wide at what she had detected and knew immediately that whatever it was that had been injected into her fellow genin’s aura would need Usagi’s attention. She remained silent as the match concluded silently thankful that there had been no further flare out from the taint in his aura after he suppressed it. She kept her gaze on Sasuke as Kakashi quickly intercepted him and began to leave the room with him. Good Kakashi knew there was something wrong then. Rei then turned to face her own sensei.

“Anko-sensei, I feel it is VERY important that Usagi-chan examines Sasuke.” She said quietly though she felt the woman would understand without too much fuss. Anko met her gaze for a long moment and then nodded before she vanished from sight in a small flurry of leaves.

.:o:.

Anko found her mind wandering as she traveled through the medic wing of the Area 44 tower, word had traveled quickly among the jounin sensei before the official end of the second exam, word that Uchiha Sasuke now had a cursed seal courtesy of Orochimaru. That fact alone had caused tension levels to rise as it was still likely that the rogue sannin was still lurking within the village boundaries. Then there had been Rei’s cryptic comment and Anko had felt a hopeful tug deep within her very being. Could Uzumaki Usagi do something to counter Orochimaru’s seal?

While the cursed seal had been her bane and an unsolvable puzzle to so many, so Uzumaki Usagi herself was an even more complex puzzle simply because the mixed heritage she shared with Naruto held so many unknown variables. Would the girl be the first to actually be able to do something to counteract and dare she hope, remove the seal altogether? There was only way to find out.

Anko turned the corner to enter the corridor where the medic staff had quarters for the duration of the exam to find the blonde-haired girl in just exiting one of the rooms.

“Anko-sensei?” She questioned and Anko gave her a grim nod.

“Come with me, Uchiha Sasuke needs your particular attention at the moment.”

The girl’s blue eye’s widened in concern as she shouldered her medic kit and moved to follow the older woman. Despite the boy in question’s brisk and cold attitude, she had come to care for all of her brother’s teammates and would do whatever she could to heal Sasuke of whatever it was that they were calling her for.

It took them only moments to meet Kakashi coming down a corridor with the unconscious boy in his arms and Usagi wasted no time in showing the two jounin a room to place him in.

.:o:.

Minako let out a small breath she had been holding as the names for the third preliminary match appeared on the display screen. While she was glad her wait was over, she had a very suspicious feeling about the boy she was set to face.

She had noted the silver haired boy prior to the first test when he spoke with the rookie genin groups. He had introduced himself as Kabuto, a genin of three to four years already and making his seventh attempt at the chuunin exam. He had given off a very friendly aura, tinged with curiosity about the rookie teams. She had not been taken in by that aura however, as she had sensed the darker and more sinister presence beneath it. Even now as they both descended to the match floor, she could sense both the top layer of his aura, and the one under it, cleverly masked by fatigue and curiosity from the one above, and it was that second aura and the darkness she could feel from it that held her attention. She would have to be careful.

The exam proctor coughed before looking to each of the combatants. Satisfied that they were ready he spoke. “Begin.”

Immediately Minako leapt backwards giving herself some more space while beginning the weave of a subtle illusion. One that could easily be mistaken as Genjutsu by even the most experienced jounin, though it was in fact built off her ability to command light. The two paced each other in a circle, neither turning their back on the other’s they moved.

It was subtle, but Minako saw it, her opponent had attempted to dispel her illusion as a standard Genjutsu, that was the moment she moved it to the next level. This particular illusion would be slightly obvious despite subtle so that if and when her target noticed it, she then settled into the next level of it at the instance they tried to dispel it, furthering in the illusion that their attempt had been a success and not just a trap getting deeper. This was also the moment that Minako knew without a doubt that this boy was no mere genin.

He had not broken her illusion, and he had noticed that fact, something that she knew not even Rin or Anko-sensei had ever been able to detect during practices. The brief narrowing of his eyes had told her much and she began to wonder just what he was doing here. Minako looked on in surprise as he suddenly relaxed his pose and turned to face the proctor.

“Hayate-san, excuse me, but I must forfeit this match now. I do not have the strength or reserves to continue this fight.” The silver haired glasses wearing boy stated in a cheerful tone.

Minako frowned. Something was very fishy about this. His darker aura pulsed with a sensation that she could only define as a smirk.

The proctor nodded. “Very well. Winner of the third preliminary match is Aino Minako.”

.:o:.

Usagi watched as the two jounin left the small examination room and closed the door behind them. She wasn’t entirely happy with having to remain sealed in the room with the currently comatose Uchiha Sasuke, but she had agreed with both Kakashi and Anko-sensei. Sasuke could not be left alone. She sensed the current of chakra that marked the sealing of the door and turned to study her dark-haired companion, frowning as he seemed to wince in pain. Usagi moved to hold one hand over his forehead and then chewed on her lower lip a moment as she debated removing his forehead protector for the time being. Another wince and twitch of movement from the boy made her decision as she gently tugged at the band until it slid free. It was then she felt it.

Malice, greed, and more rolled off of Sasuke, and though Kakashi-sensei had said the evil curse seal was contained– Usagi had a sinking suspicion that it was already too late. Her thoughts quickly drifted to her brother, and Sasuke’s other teammate Sakura. Leaving the curse seal as it was would only hurt them all and likely go beyond just Team Kakashi. Usagi chewed her lower lip for a moment more before nodding her decision made.

“I know you have never liked me Sasuke-san, but I will help you overcome this darkness. I will not let you be lost without giving you every chance to choose and fight.”

With those words she then placed one hand over the mark on Sasuke’s shoulder and the other gently on his brow. In moments a faint silver glow filled the room.

.:o:.

Naruto did not remove his gaze from the match currently going on when he sensed the return of both Kakashi-sensei and Anko without Sasuke. He had heard Rei’s softly spoken request to her sensei and their return now could only mean that Sasuke was now in his sister’s care. He hoped the bastard appreciated just who he was being trusted with, but he could also tell deep down that Rei was right and that it was Usagi alone who might undo whatever the Snake bastard had done to his teammate in the forest.

His attention was brought back fully to the match he was watching as the sound genin who’s arms had nearly been broken by Sasuke screamed out in pain. His former classmate and member of Team Kurenai stood silent as the bugs that had caused the sound genin’s new injuries scurried back.

“Winner of the fourth match, Aburame Shino.” the proctor announced as a med nin team scurried in to see to the injured boy. Among them Naruto spotted the blue haired med-genin.

“I didn’t know Ami-chan would be in the tower.” he heard Sakura say softly to his left.

“Ah, she and Usagi-chan are taking med-nin evaluations. I saw Usagi-chan working in the medical wing just a bit ago. From what I’ve heard they are doing well.” Kakashi explained.

Naruto glanced back at his sensei and was about to ask if they would see her before they left when a shout from Kiba drew his attention to the score board.

“Naruto don’t do anything stupid!” Sakura chastised as he leapt down from the observation balcony. Naruto only smirked. The fifth match was his.

.:o:.

Usagi opened her eyes and studied the gloomy landscape around her and for a moment, struggled with her power that tried to rush out and heal all the sorrow and pain the scene represented. The sky revealed night, but instead of the cool silvery blue light of the moon, everything was tinged red. Even the very moon itself. She suppressed a shiver and slowly began to walk forward through the scene, noting the obvious massacre that had taken place. These people had had no warning, no chance to defend themselves, they simply fell where they stood. Sometimes the injuries were obvious, though many were not. Soon she reached a home that was a little grander than the rest, the clan head’s residence she noted recognizing the setting as one of the clan compounds. She didn’t have to guess which one knowing whose heart these images had come from. She heard crying and entered the home just in time to see an older boy kill two adults in front of a younger Sasuke.

She watched as the child form of Sasuke froze in stunned shock tears dripping down his face without his notice.

“Itachi-niisan… why?”

The older boy only stared, his eyes whirling red and menacing and then his younger brother screamed. It was then Usagi noticed the dark shadowy copy of Sasuke watching the scene with a twisted smirk as it whispered in the boy’s ear. “You let this happen. You did nothing but watch, so weak. It is your fault for doing nothing…”

Usagi stepped forward to Sasuke’s other side. “Be gone.” She commanded and her now glowing birthmark pulsed. The shadow hissed then vanished into wisps of nothing. She then turned to the form of Sasuke’s older brother. “I will deal with you another day.” She promised though instead of vanishing into wisps the form only smiled and then stepped back to vanish into the shadows. She turned back to the distraught Sasuke and turned his face up to meet her gaze.

He blinked in shock.

“It was not your fault Sasuke. It was a dark and terrible thing that happened here, but it was NOT your fault.” She said softly, warm silver light spreading outward around them and leeching the eerie red away.

The boy could only stare, his racing heart seeming to steady and calm. He could still feel the pain and overwhelming sorrow, and yet they were more distant and not so raw. He stared at the girl in front of him with eyes so blue he imagined they could hold all the world in them. He barely noticed the pulsing mark on her forehead, or the elegant gown she appeared to be wearing. An older Sasuke found himself unable to turn away from the warm expression on her face.

“How…” he whispered as the scene around them faded away to be replaced by an open meadow under a full white moon.

She smiled at him. “It is not healthy to hold such pain bottled inside you Sasuke, I only showed you the way to open that bottle and let it come out. Such pain must be shared, or it will overwhelm and control you.”

He frowned glancing around at the tranquil scene around them and glared at her. “What would you know! You know no… thing” he finished softly the sorrow in her eyes stopping his tantrum.

“Will you let me show you the fall of a peaceful kingdom Sasuke? Perhaps then you will understand.”

He was skeptic she could tell, but he sighed and gave a quick nod.

She smiled again and turned, taking his hand with the movement, and pulling him along beside her gently. “For over a thousand years the Moon Kingdom has ruled in peace and prosperity. Guarding its’ subjects and bringing hope and light to their region of the universe. This kingdom was ruled by the Lunarian royal line descend from the moon goddess Selene herself. However, there is a darker side to the moon’s glory, and it was the descendants of the dark side of the goddess that brought about the kingdoms fall…”

She led him into a scene from her own memory, the great blue-green globe of Earth hanging overhead. Into the palace library where they found a group of girls all hard at work in some form of study. Sasuke glanced from his companion to one of the girls in the group frowning at the only difference between them being the color of their hair, his companions was gold whereas the others was silver. She nodded in silent answer to his inquiry but said nothing. As a woman Sasuke recognized suddenly appeared next to them in the room.

“Rin-sensei, what is it?”  One of the girls asked as they all took in the woman’s serious expression.

“Treason. We must get to the portal quickly. Do not ask questions right now, follow me.”

Stunned and terrified expressions stared back at her.

“But we must fight!” One of the girls in a green dress said getting up.

“No.” The woman ordered.

“But my mother…” The silver haired girl said quietly. The woman’s gaze softened slightly, and a few tears welled in her eyes.

“She is already lost, that is why we must get you to safety at all cost. We cannot risk losing you as well.”

The silver haired girl stood stunned, and it was her blonde companion who then seemed to take control. “Quickly we will take the hidden way to our training ground, gather what supplies there we can and then travel to the garden portal courtyard. We must not return to our personal rooms; it is one of the first places they will look when we are not found here.”

The other girls nodded, the raven haired one rose and stood in front of the silver haired girl meeting her eyes. “Usa-chan, we must go as Rin-sensei says.”

The silver haired girl closed her eyes and her hands tightened into fists. But then she nodded once quickly, tears falling as she opened her eyes again and then turned to the blonde. “Minako, lead the way, Rin-sensei, Makoto-chan guard our tail.”

The girls and woman nodded and then quickly began to move.

Sasuke followed without being told as they began to travel through hidden doors and passages, each moment bringing new sounds of fighting and destruction. Unlike when they had first entered the palace grounds, a sickly violet haze had seemed to settle everywhere creating an eerie atmosphere of twilight as the group kept to shadows. Twice they had to stop and turn back to find a new path as they came into halls and rooms filled with people who lay in crumpled heaps with a growing dark puddle staining the ground where they laid. Others were crushed under fallen stonework from pillars, walls, and holes in the ceiling. Sasuke could only wonder at what would take so much innocent life, most of these people didn’t even seem to be fighters of any kind.

Soon they were skirting through ruined gardens and demolished courtyards, sparing hardly a glance for the destruction and death each new corner revealed. It was while they quickly gathered supplies that two felines joined the group without a word. However, the worst view came just as they turned to enter their destination when another archway showed a beautiful pearl white palace beginning to crumble as it was overwhelmed with fire and dark sinister clouds of what Sasuke could only guess was some sort of jutsu. He watched as the group quickly activated and vanished into a portal with the silver haired girl only giving a brief glance back with determination in her gaze.

The scene faded back into the moonlit meadow and Sasuke stood beside the girl he knew as Naruto’s twin sister.

He turned to meet her gaze. “Then you seek revenge.” he stated harshly.

She shook her head no. “No, not revenge. For those I should be protecting are without as long as I am away. It is the safety of my people I desire.”

“Your people?!” He asked skeptic.

“If your brother had not killed all your clan, but only left those your age and younger alive. Would you seek revenge? or to protect your clansmen?”

Sasuke frowned. “He didn’t. I am the last… but.” He frowned as he considered the possibility and knew she was right, but his brother had left him no one to protect… he studied her and bit by bit he began to see what it was that her friends were drawn to. “You give them hope. You… you want to give me hope…”

She nodded. “There is always hope if you wish for it and I believe there is hope for your brother as well. I feel there is much more to the story then what your memory shows.”

Sasuke was stunned by her words. Hope? for Itachi? More to the tragedy that was the massacre of the Uchiha clan? He had never even considered anything past his hate and revenge… but to have hope… maybe there was something more after all. If she was right…he felt a great burden lift from his heart. Perhaps he did have something to hope for after all.

It was at that moment that Usagi opened her eyes and removed her hand from Sasuke’s forehead. The last remaining venom that has been in his body oozed out of the bite wound on his shoulder which was now just that, only a wound. The curse seal was nothing more than a bit of ink and fluid she then cleaned up with a small burst of silver energy turned into dust. She smiled softly as she saw the relaxed expression on Sasuke’s face and then caught herself yawning. She took one last glance around the room then curled up against the wall near Sasuke’s bed with a spare blanket and let her own eyes drift closed.

.:o:.

Rei rested a hand on the railing and hoped over to land softly on the fighting floor below when her name appeared on the screen for the next match. The previous fight between the sound girl and Shikamaru had ended rather anticlimactically. She watched in silence as the last of the three sound genin to fight also jumped down into the arena. So far none of this genin’s team had managed to win their match and now he and she would be the 8th pair to face off. None of that mattered however as the jounin examiner said “Begin.”

Almost immediately the sound genin charged forward swinging his right arm in a cross-punch motion as Rei rolled sideways and then stumbled as she tried to regain her footing. Her violet eyes widened as the sound genin chuckled.

“You should just forfeit now. This match is over.” he said a mocking tone in his voice.

Rei narrowed her gaze at him as she noted the strange device on his arm, and then glanced up at the hiate and the village mark it bore. Sound.

“Have you figured it out then?” the genin mocked.

Rei refused to rise to his bait as she determined what she could do to defend again his attack. Unfortunately, her options were proving limited, and she could not afford to let him hit her again. She narrowed her gaze and sprinted forward a collection of ofuda and senbon appearing in her fists.

The sound genin only smirked and leapt backwards bringing his right arm forward again in a guard position. However, Rei had expected that and turned her sprint into a handstand spring flinging her arsenal at her opponent as she flipped over his head landing in a crouch behind him.

The Sound genin smirked as the needles clattered off his arm and scoffed at the pieces of paper that stuck to the metal guard. A blast of chakra induced air blew the papers off, but no sooner did they lose contact then an inferno incased his arm.

Rei smirked her head lowered, and her eyes hidden under her bangs. “Norito no Hi.” she stated quietly as blood then trickled out of her ears and she fell forward unconscious.

The sound genin managed to suppress the fire but his arm was a smoking ruin, the metal guard misshapen and useless as he struggled to remove it from his arm.

“Winner, Dosu Kinuta.” The jounin examiner announced as medial staff rushed out to assist the Genin as the metal continued to burn his arm and others including the medic-genin Ami moved to remove the now unconscious Rei from the arena and treat her.

The sound genin growled in pain as the metal was removed to reveal his arm a steaming red as the med team then guided him out of the arena.

Minako watched silently as she filtered through the various emotions in the area after the most recent match. She sensed it when whatever healing Usagi had been working on finished and the darker feelings that had come from that direction eased away almost completely, however there was a sharp spike of anger in arena at almost the same time. Minako’s eyes quickly scanned the group that stood on the opposite balcony from where most of the Konoha shinobi were. Her gaze paused only a moment on the pale and blank expression on the sound jounin’s face… his eyes though. Those told a different story, he was angry. Whether that was due to the result of his last student’s match, or if he had sensed something to do with Usagi’s healing she couldn’t be sure.

Minako glanced to her own sensei and Kakashi. Both seemed relaxed though attentive to the matches, and yet she could fell the underlying tension that filled them both. There was something more going on during this exam then just the exam itself. Something underneath the underneath. She didn’t have much more time to dwell on it though as the arena was cleared and the next pair of names appeared on the screen. Minako held back a gasp of dismay as she saw the names and felt the emotional reaction from the two.

Dismay, and a fair dose of fear, those were definitely Hinata’s. Disdain, overwhelming confidence, and anticipation… those came from her cousin and now opponent Hyuuga Neji. As the two made their way to the arena floor she sensed the concern and worry rise in several of the leaf shinobi, in particular Hinata’s sensei and teammates as well Makoto and Sakura. They all knew what it meant for these two to face off. Hinata had become fast friends with the group of girls that often gathered together in the Uzumaki residence and had even joined in learning basic med-nin jutsu with Ami and Usagi as well. It had been during some of those meetings that some of the story of her family history and the current situation had come out. And it was not without her own worries that Minako watched as the fight began.

It was hard and even painful to watch the two near-siblings fight. Neji with his absolute belief that she could not be better than him, and that her luck of birth had given her nothing to truly put her above him. He did not hold back, for this was the first and likely only time he would be able to face his cousin in such a match without guarding eyes that would mean his doom if he stepped out of line. And yet as Minako watched she sensed a fear of her, a fear that she would use his one great weakness to see him on the floor at her feet. However, there was no such feeling of power over her cousin coming from Hinata, only a deep nearly unmatchable desire to earn his trust, his respect, to win her place with her own power alone. It was not meant to be though for even as Hinata tried to reach her cousin’s walled off heart he lashed out in fear and anger.

Minako squeezed her eyes shut as feelings overwhelmed her. Neji’s shock as the jounin restrained him. Hinata’s fluttering hope as she drifted into unconsciousness. Shock from the teammates of both competitors and Naruto’s fierce protectiveness… that more than anything roared across her senses. All though, hidden deep within it she could see a burning ember of something much deeper that tied him to the now unconscious Hyuuga heiress. Minako opened her eyes a small smile on her lips. She would enjoy watching that seed grow and bloom.

She didn’t have much time to dwell on this newfound hidden flutter buried in Naruto’s heart though as the next two names appeared and tension suddenly filled the room.

He’d felt it. Silver whispers of power tickling the senses of that other being that always called for blood. For a time, it had calmed but he hadn’t been fooled. Now as the silver whispers had faded it roared forward screaming for blood. His mouth quirked as he let the sand move him onto the arena floor, a green clad boy hoping down to meet him. Yes, his blood would do.

.:o:.

Sasuke groaned as he became aware of a pounding throb in the middle of his forehead, he raised a hand to massage his temple and rolled onto his side, leaning on the other arm. He blinked blearily as he waited for his eyes to focus. The first thing he saw was a pile of gold above a nondescript tan colored pile on the floor. He blinked again and the pile resolved into a girl sleeping under a plain blanket. He blinked once more and recognized her as hazy and dream like memories filtered through his thoughts.

“Hnn.”

The pile moved and then two blue eyes blinked at him from under gold bangs.

“You’re awake.” She said softly smiling.

“How is it, that Dobe could possibly have someone like you as a sister?” he both stated and asked.

The blond only shrugged as the dark-haired boy shook his head.

She stood and folded the blanket she had been using before turning back to the dark-haired boy who had had moved to stand beside the cot he had been laying on.

“We should get you back up to the arena room. I think the matches are still going on and I should be on call there yet.” She explained.

Sasuke could only nod, glad to have to dwell too much on what had happened for now.

Usagi knocked in rhythm on the door and an answering tap replied as a seal glowed blue before vanishing from sight on the door once more. Sasuke frowned but did not comment.

“If you could escort us up to the arena room?” The blonde asked the shinobi standing guard outside the door. The cloaked and masked figure only nodded and then led the way, his partner falling into step behind them once Sasuke had left the room as well.

The two genin were escorted into the observation room for the medical staff just as the last fight ended. Usagi rushed out with the medical staff into the arena to check on the two unconscious genin from the last match. A double knockout it between Akimichi Choji and Kino Makoto. It didn’t take long for the two combatants to be revived and then those running the exam called for all present to assemble with those who won their matches lined up in the front.

“You all have one month from now to prepare yourselves for the 3rd and final portion of the exam. Like these preliminary matches today each of you will be judged on your individual skill and merits as you are all considered for the promotion to Chuunin. During the next month many will gather to witness these matches as you not only represent yourselves but your villages. Now we will have those of you moving on to the finals draw numbers to determine who you face in the first round.” The jounin proctor of the exam explained as an assistant approached and offered each genin a chance to draw a slip of paper from a mostly in closed box. It didn’t take long, and all ten finalists had a slip of paper.

And with the lines drawn out the groups were dismissed, and the Second Trial of the Chuunin Exam was officially ended.